The College’s ongoing mandate is to protect the public from unqualified, incompetent and unfit practitioners. As part of this public protection mandate, the College has a duty to consider and investigate reports and complaints regarding alleged misconduct or incompetence of College members, including sexual abuse and/or boundary violations of a sexual nature.
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What Members Need to Know: COVID-19
The College continues to monitor the ongoing developments related to COVID-19 and is committed to providing College members and other stakeholders with ongoing updates and information. While the College’s physical office remains closed, we have resumed many regulatory operations remotely.
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Q&A: The Missing Persons Act
The purpose of the new law is to assist police in locating a missing person where no criminal investigation is underway. Under the new law, once a client is established to be a missing person, police officers are able to request information contained in client records with an urgent demand, an order for the production of records or a search warrant.
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Did You Know? The Legislation that Established the College
The College was established when the Government of Ontario proclaimed the Social Work and Social Service Work Act (SWSSWA) on August 15, 2000. In accordance with the SWSSWA, the primary duty of the College is to serve and protect the public interest.
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Q&A: Why Does the College Publish Discipline Decisions?
As the regulator of social workers and social service workers in Ontario, the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers publishes Discipline Committee decisions to inform the public about social workers or social service workers who have engaged in professional misconduct or are incompetent.[1]
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Q&A
Are registered social workers able to complete supporting assessments for clients seeking gender confirming surgery?
Yes, provided that certain requirements are met. The Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care (MOHLTC), states that registered social workers who have “a master’s degree in social work, and hold a current certificate of registration” with the College may complete supporting assessments recommending gender confirming surgery (GCS).
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Q&A
I recently changed my name. Do I have to notify the College?
Yes. If you are changing your name, you must advise the College of both your former name(s) and your new name(s) in writing and include a copy of the change of name certificate or marriage certificate for our records. You may send the information via fax to 416-972-1512, by email to info@ocswssw.org or mail to […]
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Q&A: Can Field Education Be Used Towards the Completion of My Continuing Competence Program?
I am an OCSWSSW member who regularly provides field education to social work/social service work students as part of my practice. Can I use this experience as a learning activity towards the completion of my Continuing Competence Program (CCP)?
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Q&A: Can I Call Myself a “Psychotherapist”?
I am a member of the OCSWSSW who provides psychotherapy services as part of my practice. Can I call myself a “psychotherapist”?
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Q&A: What Are the Benefits of Following the College on Twitter?
Following the College on Twitter is one of the more direct ways members can stay up to date on College and regulatory affairs.
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